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A small, portable Bluetooth speaker is one of the most important travel items, and must always feature prominently in every traveler’s packing list. Many travelers often remember to pack a pair of headphones for use in public places, as well as a laptop with which to stream their favorite movies and games.
However, headphones and streaming devices only take care of part of your entertainment needs. They aren’t ideal in all situations. For instance, what happens when you’re no longer in a crowded place? Would you still require your headphones? Or, what if you’re camping amidst nature and need to listen in to serenading rhythms as you while the nights away? It’s during such times that a Bluetooth travel speaker comes in handy.
But as you may expect, the travel speaker market teems with thousands of products, and finding the ideal speaker for you may be a bit of a challenge. You don’t need to fret though, as we’ve done the research for you. In this post, we’ll unveil some of the top travel speakers that are worth your money, but first things first.
How to Choose a Travel Speaker
Al travel speakers are not made equal. The following are some of the factors to consider before buying a travel speaker.
1. Size and Weight
Like most travel essentials, your travel speaker should sport a small and compact design for ease of packing into your standard backpack or suitcase. 4.6 inches, or thereabout, is the ideal length that a travel speaker should measure.
Also, the speaker shouldn’t impact your airline’s carry-on luggage significantly, so insist on a more lightweight product.
2. Waterproof and Dustproof
As a travel speaker is something that you’ll almost always carry in your hands, there are risks of accidental drops. The speaker might fall into a swimming pool or dusty ground, which underscores the importance of investing in a waterproof and dustproof product.
The best way to establish that a travel speaker is waterproof is to choose a product that has IPX7 ratings. In terms of dustproof, go for rubberized speakers.
3. Battery Life
When listening to your favorite tunes on a travel speaker, nothing can be more frustrating than the battery running dry suddenly.
Therefore, choose a speaker that comes with quality and durable batteries with reasonably long playbacks. Also, remember to buy an extra set of batteries and a decent charger.
4. Performance
The performance of a travel speaker is primarily determined by the volume output. To establish that, you can test the speaker before buying it.
If you’re ever in doubt, choose a speaker that produces between 15 and 20 watts, as well as one that comes with a wide frequency Hz measurement and low impedance.
5. Additional Specs
Besides the factors above, other aspects to look out for in a travel speaker include;
i. A daisy chain that allows you to connect your speaker with other speakers using a cable.
ii. An app that offers seamless connection between the speaker and other audio devices nearby.
iii. Voice controls
1. UE Wonderboom 2
Size: 3.7 x 3.7 x 4 inches
Weight: 15 ounces
Color Options: Deep Space, Radical Red, Just Peach, Bermuda Blue, and Crushed Ice Grey
Battery Life: Up to 13 hours
Product Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NFP7KYJ
Pros
- Powerful for its size
- Waterproof and dustproof
- Relatively affordable
Cons
- Lacks visual battery life indicator
- Lacks an app
Product Description
The UE Wonderboom 2 is a tiny travel speaker that’s designed to deliver in spite of its diminished size. The speaker delivers a seamless blend of big bass and crisp vocals, and comes with an impressive 13 hours’ worth of continuous playback.
UE Wonderboom 2 is also famous for its incredible waterproof and dustproof qualities. The speaker can withstand being soaked in water to a depth of 3 feet for up to 30 minutes. That allows you to listen to your favorite music by the swimming pool without worrying about the speaker getting soaked in water. UE Wonderboom 2 can also pair with another Wonderboom speaker for a richer sound experience.
2. Doss SoundBox Pro Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
Size: 7.7 x 2.9 x 3 in
Weight: 22.2 ounces
Color Options: Black, Blue, and Grey.
Battery Life: Up to 12 hours
Pros
- Deep and immersive sound quality
- Splash-resistant
- Supports all Bluetooth-enabled devices
Cons
- Not entirely waterproof
Product Description
Doss SoundBox comes with two full-range drivers as well as dual-passive radiators that work synergistically to produce an incredible 20W stereo sound. Not only that, the speaker also boasts enhanced bass, clear highs, and tight mids that blend seamlessly without distorting the volume and rhythm.
The inclusion of beat-driven light show enables the Doss SoundBox to recreate a high-voltage disco aura wherever you go. The lights, which include 6 color and 3 illumination patterns, follow the pattern and rhythm of the beats.
Doss SoundBox supports Bluetooth 4.2 and covers a radius of up to 66 feet. It’s compatible with all Bluetooth-enabled devices, as well as Echo Dot, Aus-In, and TF card.
3. Tribit MaxSound Plus
Size: 7.8 x 2.7 x 3.6 inches
Weight: 21 ounces
Color Options: Black
Battery Life: Up to 20 hours
Pros
- Small and lightweight
- Fairly long battery life
- Maximum bass frequency output
Cons
- Limited color options
Product Description
When it comes to travel speakers, sometimes brand recognition doesn’t matter. While Tribit isn’t such a household name as far as travel speakers go, their Tribit MaxSound Plus speaker is something worth your time and money.
The first thing you’ll love about this speaker is its impressive sound clarity, thanks to the inclusion of forward-firing drivers, passive radiators, and extra bass buttons. You can also pair it with nearby audio devices within a radius of up to 100 feet. Its battery life is between 15 and 20 hours, and the speaker also enjoys IPX7 waterproof ratings.
4. UE Roll 2
Size: 5.4 x 5.4 x 1.6 inches
Weight: 11.6 ounces
Color Options: Volcano Grey, Sugarplum, Habanero, Reef, Atmosphere, and Giraffic Park
Battery Life: Up to 9 hours
Pros
- Incredibly portable
- Small and lightweight
- 2-year manufacturer’s guarantee
Cons
- Battery life is comparatively short
Product Description
If portability is your primary consideration while shopping for a travel speaker, then you might consider the UE Roll 2. This speaker comes in a stretchy marine-grade bungee that allows you to strap it to your suitcase, bike, kayak, etc.
UE Roll 2 is also one of the most waterproof travel speakers out there, able to withstand water exposure for 30 minutes up to a depth of 1 meter. What’s more – you can pair this speaker wirelessly with other devices within a radius of 100 feet.
5. JBL Charge 3 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Size: 9.1 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches
Weight: 29 ounces
Color Options: Black, Blue, Red, Teal, Grey, and Camouflage
Battery Life: Up to 20 hours
Pros
- Extended battery life
- In-built microphones can be used as a speakerphone
- Has a USB C charging port
Cons
- Exposed woofers need more care and maintenance
Product Description
Like most high-end travel speakers, JBL Charge 3 allows you to create your own ecosystem by connecting multiple JBL speakers together for a richer sound experience. The speaker has exposed woofers that give it its cool and chic design, while making it easy to pack and carry.
JBL can wirelessly connect with audio output devices, such as your Smartphone or tablet, and takes turns to play your favorite music and tunes. It enjoys IPX7-ratings, which certify it as a waterproof and splash-proof travel speaker. JBL is also one of the few future-proof travel speakers you’ll find in the market today, thanks to the integration of USB C charging port.
6. Anker Soundcore 2
Size: 6.5 x 2.1 x 1.77 inches
Weight: 12.6 ounces
Color Options: Black, Blue, and Red
Battery Life: Up to 24 hours
Pros
- Incredible battery life
- Reasonably affordable
- Well-balanced sounds
Cons
- Not ideal for larger rooms
Product Description
The Anker Soundcore 2 is a special recommendation for budget travelers, thanks to its relative affordability. Anker is famous for its cutting-edge battery technology, and it isn’t surprising that this speaker’s 5200mAh li-ion battery packs a continuous playback of up to 24 hours.
And despite being small and lightweight, Anker Soundcore 2 can deliver powerful and well-balanced sounds. The speaker’s dual neodymium drivers add to its overall richness in sound quality. It’s IPX5-rated and can withstand splashes, snow, and dust.
7. Amazon Echo (2nd Generation)
Size: 5.9 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches
Weight: 29 ounces
Color Options: Walnut Finish, Oak Finish, Charcoal Fabric, Sandstone Fabric, and Heather Grey Fabric.
Battery Life: Up to 24 hours
Pros
- Long battery life
- Numerous color options
- Compatibility with several apps
Cons
- Intrusive recordings by Alexa
Product Description
Amazon Echo needs no introduction, but we’ll introduce it anyway. The Amazon Echo (2nd Generation) connects seamlessly to Alexa, allowing you to play music automatically. The speaker’s compatibility with Alexa also allows you to answer questions and perform other automation services, including setting alarms, answering the door, turning off lights in your hotel room, etc.
Other software that you can sync with this speaker include Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, Sirius XM, etc. In terms of sound quality, you get a blend of crisp sounds and dynamic bass response.
Final Word
Choosing a travel speaker doesn’t have to be a long and painstaking process. You only need to understand the aspects to look out for. The products that we’ve reviewed here enjoy plenty of positive reviews from users and are a safe bet if you’re looking for powerful, waterproof, and lightweight travel speakers.